Lutz man honored as outstanding alumni
Thomas University in Georgia recently honored three of its most outstanding alumni during the annual Alumni Awards Dinner at TU’s main campus. Dr. Marc Musto, from Lutz, received the Distinguished Recent Graduate Award, given to an individual who graduated in the last five years, in recognition of Musto’s personal and professional accomplishments and support of Thomas University.
Musto graduated from TU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in biology. He was a member of the men’s soccer team, served on the Honor Council, and worked as a peer tutor for three years.
After graduation, Musto enrolled in the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. While at SCO, he was awarded a three-year Health Professions Scholarship from the United States Air Force. He served as the SCO liaison for the Armed Forces Optometric Society.
In July 2015, Musto graduated as a captain from Commissioned Officer Training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is currently commissioned at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
General Barry McCaffrey to speak
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host Gen. Barry McCaffrey on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
McCaffrey is an international affairs expert and national security analyst for NBC News, and will speak on the topic of “Policy, National Security and the Road Ahead.”
There will be a brief question-and-answer session. Admission is free.
For information, contact Colleen Tiesler at (352) 588-8291 or .
Winter Art Showcase and Book Fair
Wiregrass Ranch High School will have a “Winter Art Showcase and Book Fair” at Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Wiregrass on Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a jazz quartet, carolers and drama performances, “Artist in Action,” storytelling, face painting, art exhibits, free gift wrapping and more. Come and show your support and win prizes like a GlowLight Nook, PTSA gift bag and original paintings.
If you cannot make the event, shop online from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7, using voucher code 11704327 at BN.com/bookfairs, and a percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases will benefit the fine arts department at Wiregrass Ranch High School.
Hockey clinics for students
The Tampa Bay Lightning will host Street Lightning Hockey Clinics for the fourth and fifth graders at these schools:
- Dec. 7 at 9:50 a.m.: Seven Oaks Elementary School in Wesley Chapel
- Dec. 11 at 9:50 a.m.: Denham Oaks Elementary School in Lutz
Every participating student receives a hockey stick and a Lightning game voucher.
For information, call Amy Lipovetsky, Office for Teaching and Learning, at (813) 794-2246.
Superintendent of Catholic Schools named
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has appointed Chris Pastura as Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Centers. Pastura comes from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, where he had served as assistant superintendent, director of School Strategic Planning since 2011.
Pastura has a Master of Nonprofit Administration from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Educational Administration from Xavier University, and a Bachelor of Arts in theology from Xavier University. He has worked as a high school principal, assistant principal, lay missionary and theology teacher.
The Diocese of St. Petersburg includes 45 schools and centers, and 11,000 students throughout five Florida counties.
Saint Leo named great college to work for
For the third consecutive year, Saint Leo University in St. Leo, was named one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to a new survey by “The Chronicle of Higher Education.” The results were based on a survey of 281 colleges and universities.
Saint Leo achieved honors in eight categories this year: Collaborative Governance; Compensation and Benefits; Confidence in Senior Leadership; Facilities, Workspace and Security; Professional/Career Development Programs; Respect and Appreciation; Supervisor/Department Chair Relationship; and Work/Life Balance.
Because Saint Leo was rated highly in eight out of 12 categories, it also was named a 2015 Honor Roll institution.
